Technical Fault Delay

Your flight was delayed due to a technical or mechanical issue

EC 261/2004 entitles you to up to €600 when your flight is delayed 3+ hours because of a technical fault. The European Court of Justice confirmed in Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia that routine technical faults are NOT extraordinary circumstances.

Check My Flight

Compensation

€250 – €600

Regulation

EC 261/2004

Time Limit

2–6 years (varies by country)

What Counts

What is a Technical Fault Delay?

A technical fault delay is any delay caused by a mechanical or engineering issue with the aircraft — regardless of whether the airline calls it 'routine' or 'unexpected'.

This qualifies if…

Engine failure or malfunction
Hydraulics, avionics, or fuel system issues
Bird strike or foreign object damage (FOD)
Faulty landing gear or brakes
Aircraft swapped due to technical issues with original plane
Unexpected technical issue found during pre-flight checks

Legal Basis

Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia (C-549/07) — routine technical faults are not extraordinary circumstances. Airlines must prove a defect was hidden and impossible to detect.

How Much

How much are you owed?

EC261 pays a fixed amount based on your route distance — not your ticket price.

Scenario / Distance	Example	Amount	Note
Up to 1,500 km	London → Paris	€250	—
1,500 – 3,500 km	London → Athens	€400	—
Over 3,500 km (intra-EU)	Lisbon → Helsinki	€400	—
Over 3,500 km (extra-EU)	London → New York	€600	—

Do I Qualify?

Eligibility checklist

Check these against your situation — the more you can tick, the stronger your claim.

Departure from an EU/UK airport OR arrival in EU on an EU/UK carrier

Required

Your flight arrived 3+ hours late at the final destination

Required

You had a confirmed booking and checked in on time

Required

The delay was caused by a technical or mechanical issue

Required

Airline did NOT offer an alternative arriving within 2 hours (short routes)

Conditional

Claim is within the limitation period for your country

Required

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your details via our free claim checker — we assess eligibility at no cost and no obligation.

Know Your Defences

Common excuses airlines use — and why they're wrong

"It was an extraordinary circumstance."

Courts consistently rule that routine technical faults are NOT extraordinary. Wallentin-Hermann (C-549/07) set this precedent in 2008. The airline must prove the defect was truly hidden and undetectable — very hard to do.

"The fault was caused by a third-party part manufacturer."

EC261 liability runs to the operating carrier regardless of who made the part. If the aircraft was airworthy when it left the factory floor, it is the airline's maintenance responsibility.

"We acted as soon as we were told."

Airlines must take all reasonable measures to prevent delays — proactive maintenance, spare aircraft, etc. Reacting after the fault is not the same as reasonable preventative action.

How It Works